The Upper Saint Francis region is on the cusp of a turning point in its history with the likely sale of the historic St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Cookshire, an architectural jewel built of stone in 1869. 

Local businessman and property developer, Gilles Denis, is currently discussing its purchase with the Anglican Diocese. “I’m waiting for a proposal for an offer to purchase… from the Anglican property manager,” he wrote to the Haut-Saint-François newspaper on December 4. 

“There are plans to sell it, I believe,” said Jim Sweeney, former registrar and property manager for the Diocese. “I haven’t had that confirmed. But people are working on the assumption that it will be sold.” 

The Haut-Saint-François Regional County Municipality (MRC) and Ville de Cookshire-Eaton were already preparing for the eventual sale of the heritage building in 2023 and 2024. The MRC helped a group of citizens make a request to the municipality of Cookshire-Eaton that it cite the property for its historical value, which the municipality did earlier this year. 

Municipal library 

It also wrote a letter of support to Gilles Denis, indicating the municipality’s interest in renting part of the building for the municipal library, to help Mr. Denis seek financing for the purchase, should it occur. 

According to the MRC’s heritage property advisor, Chloë Southam, the church building “can never be demolished,” and the municipal citation represents “a certification of the community’s intention to preserve the building in the long term.” 

The citation also helps the building’s owner apply for grants for restoration, but is not restrictive as in the case of a provincial classification, which the Eaton Corner Academy has received, according to Ms. Southam.  

Gilles Denis owns numerous buildings in Cookshire, including several that are historic. He purchased the St. Peter’s rectory several years ago and converted it into a cultural centre, now known as the Maison John-Henry-Pope. Since then, he also acquired Victoria Hall, still in Cookshire’s historic square on Main Street, and converted it into an art gallery and exhibition hall. Gilles Denis also owns the IGA grocery store in Cookshire.